KIDAPAWAN CITY – Crossing his Liberal Party (LP) line, North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Piñol is leading his influential political clan in endorsing the senatorial bid of lawyer Adel Tamano in a snowballing campaign to restore a Muslim representation in the Senate as a testament to fostering a “meaningful national unity.”

Piñol, who is running in the coming elections for the gubernatorial post he has held efficiently from 1998 to 2007, said Tamano has substantial qualifications for election in the Senate, which has been bereft of a Muslim member since 1992.

“He (Tamano) is very much qualified…And since we do not adhere to block voting in the senatorial slate, we will rally his candidacy,” Piñol told the Manila Bulletin earlier after talking to Tamano over the phone.

Tamano is running for a Senate seat under the Nacionalista Party (NP) of presidential candidate Senator Manny Villar. He is one of three Muslim senatorial aspirants in the coming elections.

Tamano is presently the first Muslim president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, a former spokesman of the United Opposition in the 2007 elections, and a son of the late Mamintal Tamano, a two-time elected senator.

Tamano’s father and Dr. Santanina Rasul are the last Muslim members of the upper chamber of Congress.

Piñol, who is rallying the LP presidential tandem of Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas, had invited Tamano as his guest of honor to grace here Wednesday a musical extravaganza that formed part of the highlights of the vice governor’s 56th birthday celebration.